In our first home fixture of the season, the Quarrymen faced their toughest test of the season so far as they came up against a strong Highworth Town team who are amongst the favourites for promotion this year.
The starting lineup saw a return to the side following a suspension for Leon Greenland as Ethan Hill missed out due to illness. Rusby took the armband for the third game running as Matt Swan and Mark Cooper remain unavailable for selection.
The early stages saw a lively start by both sides with half-chances being made at both ends of the pitch but with neither keeper being called into action.
As the first half approached, the midpoint Corsham took control and where comfortably the better side dominating possession and territory without creating any clear-cut chances.
This all changed on 33 mins when a brilliant cross into the box from skipper Rusby from the left was headed home powerfully by Dan Price. With Corsham well on top, a goal was disallowed as the linesman adjudges Brandom Munday to be interfering with play despite not touching the ball and Kane Simpson ran clear and crossed for Shaq who turned the ball home.
Just before halftime, another great run by Kane Simpson was brought abruptly to an end by a visiting defender just outside the box. The resulting free kick was thumped inches over.
A solid half from the Quarrymen as they deservedly led at the break.
The second half started with not much between the sides. Corsham making a few opportunities on the break with Simpson looking sharp and nearly creating an opening for Shaq Smith.
Highworth started to create chances and Alfie Kesley needed to save well down to his left from a crisp strike. Then another good move down the left from the visitors saw the striker get ahead of Alfie but Leon Greenwood cleared superbly off the line.
The visitors were in the ascendancy and playing some tidy stuff. The game was getting a bit stretched and Corsham where struggling to get control of the game.
With Highworth looking the more likely to score, some great play from the skipper Rusby working some space for a cross and the outcome seemed inevitable as it arrives at the boot of leading goalscorer Dan Price, 2-0.
Highworth didn’t give up and a flick-on at the near post was headed clear in the Corsham six-yard box.
On 80 minutes Ryan Bath came off the bench for his first minutes of the season and it was nearly a dream return as he headed just wide after some superb work down the left from Dan Demkiv. The game was then wrapped up with a superb run from the halfway line and a cracking finish from Dan Demkiv.
Corsham where now well on top and Demkiv was tormenting the Highworth defence, nicking the ball from the defender and pulling it back from Jasper Jones who blasted his shot over the bar! It should have been 4-0.
Superb team effort from the lads and a great bounce back after a frustrating result Saturday. Some big performances from our key men and the squad getting strong every match.
